Hello Friends,

 

Lately I’ve been thinking more about the Faith chapter, one of my favorite chapters, which is Hebrews chapter 11.  Scholars are not certain who wrote the book of Hebrews. The Faith Chapter starts out in verse 1 by defining faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Then, it starts by talking about the faith of people in the Old Testament.  Starting with Abel.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”   Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When I read this, I think about the fact that Abel gave God good, unblemished  fruit.  He didn’t travel for days on end, he didn’t preach for hours on end he gave God good, unblemished fruit.  And now anyone who reads the Bible can read about his faith.

 

Then Sarah: “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Do you remember Sarah’s initial response when she found out she was gonna have a baby? She laughed.

 

We also read about Rahab.

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”  ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Rehab was in the lineage of Jesus. Do you think that this prostitute knew that when she hid the spies she would end up being in the lineage of the greatest man that ever lived?  The Savior of the world?

 

The author of Hebrews goes on to say:

“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

The people in the Faith chapter just helps me remember how much God loves us and He just wants us to believe in Him and love Him in return.  It also reminds me that we are not all expected to have faith like Abraham.  Faith like Abel, faith like Sarah, and Faith like Rahab… just ordinary, people responding in ordinary ways. Giving God our best, finding humor in unbelievable situations, or letting people climb out our window (which is the most extraordinary of the three).  They were human and God used them, and they were remembered for their faith

 

The author of Hebrews focused on the Old Testament people, however when I think of people of faith in the New Testament, I think of Mary the mother of Jesus and her Faith.  An angel told her that she was favored by God and that she would have a baby, even though she had never “known” a man.  Her response?

“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭38‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

And lastly, I wanna talk about Peter because honestly I feel bad for Peter. He is given a hard time often. But he is the only disciple that walked on water. Yes, he got on the water looked down, realized how crazy it was that he was walking on water and started to panic, but he got on the water, he stood up, took a step out of the boat. None of the other disciples did that.

 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I like these stories I mentioned the most because it makes them all sound so normal and so human.  If I compare myself to Abraham, Moses, or Paul, it makes me struggle because I feel like I should have more faith.  But when I read stories about Abel or Sarah, I feel a little bit more normal. And yes, I know we are not supposed to compare our faith to that of others.  But also, these are normal people with an everyday faith. Maybe that’s why the author listed them as examples.  Everyday faith does not have extraordinary. Everyday faith can be a pure, hope-filled heart that demonstrate “the evidence of things not seen.”

 

Are there any stories in the Bible that you appreciate more than others? (Besides the whole gospel message of course!)

 

Feel free to leave a comment or contact me and let me know your thoughts.

 

 

 

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

 

Until Next Time,

 

Liz Allen